At the Learning Spectrum, we place a high priority on the professional development of our incredible staff. We feel very fortunate to employ so many caring, talented individuals, and we are always looking for ways to enrich their skills and train them on new approaches so they can bring even better services to our students. [...]
The Learning Spectrum will soon be a site for robotic social therapy through an exciting program called Robots4Autism. Robots4Autism is a curriculum designed to teach social skills to school-aged children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The curriculum features a realistic, interactive robot named Milo. Milo is a humanoid robot with a world-renowned facial expression and personality. [...]
The Teen Transition rooms at TLS Newark are doing more than meeting their academic goals. Thanks to the resourcefulness of some dedicated parents, the teens are volunteering and giving back to their local community. Kate Diamond’s daughter has been a student at The Learning Spectrum for over five years. Kate was looking for an opportunity [...]
We may be right in the middle of winter, but TLS is already thinking about the warmer weather! Summer will be here before we know it, and plans are underway for the 2016 TLS Summer Camp! Summer Camp will be held from June 13-July 21, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at [...]
While many adults enjoy yoga for the relaxation, flexibility and focus it brings, it can also be an effective therapy for children with special needs. Megan Coltoniak, therapy director at TLS, recently became “Childlight Yoga” certified. Childlight Yoga, founded in 2005, is an organization that provides evidence-informed yoga and mindfulness education to children, as well [...]
At any age, we can all learn from the positive examples set by those around us. This is especially true for children on the spectrum, and is most effective when a child’s peers set the example. The concept is called peer modeling. Peer modeling is when a child shows good social behaviors, and is interested [...]
Two parents at TLS Central are spearheading an effort to form a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) at The Learning Spectrum. Melonie Smith and Beth Churchill both independently expressed an interest to director Jill Medley about organizing a PTO to support TLS’s parents, teachers and students. They are now working together to carry out their vision. [...]
The Learning Spectrum is excited to announce that it will soon be offering support groups to the parents and siblings of children with autism. The parent support group will allow parents to voice their feelings, concerns, and frustrations in a safe, supportive environment, with others who are going through a similar situation. It is open [...]
Aaron Lopez is new to TLS’s inclusion department, but he’s not new to a groundbreaking intervention called the Hunter Heartbeat Method, which has successfully broken through the communicative blocks of many children with autism. Aaron is one of only 40 or so people who have been trained in the Hunter Heartbeat Method. And with a [...]
The Learning Spectrum’s Behavior Health Department is growing, and paraprofessionals will soon begin the process to earn a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification from the Behavior Analysts Certification Board (BACB). Individuals with a RBT credential will be responsible for implementing, not designing, the behavior plans created by the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at TLS. [...]
